By Marc Narducci
Photos by: Lennie Malmgren, Mark Zimmaro & Donna Eckert)
PHILADELPHIA- Archbishop Carroll suffered some key losses entering this season, but the Patriots have still remained highly competitive.
They have clinched a berth in the Catholic League playoffs and for such a young team, that is a worthy achievement.
Carroll finished 4-3-1 in Catholic League play, which has to be considered a positive development after losing four All-Catholic players including Keri Barnett and Kylie Mottice, who combined for 35 goals last year.
“We had younger players from our JV team who had to step up with a good but young nucleus,” Carroll coach Tom Quintois said. “I like where we are. This team has gotten better as the season has gone along.”
While this is a relatively young team, there has been great senior leadership, led by Reagan Duzy, the team’s center midfielder.
Among the more impressive players not only on the team, but in the Catholic League is sophomore midfielder Olivia Stout.
Stout has great field presence and has provided needed offensive with six goals.
“She is one of the best players in the league,” Quintois said. “Olivia is a natural attacking midfielder who is really creative, can hit a ball with either foot and can play against all sorts of pressure.”
Carroll senior Reagan Duzy in game vs. Archbishop Ryan. (photo/Lennie Malmgren for PSD)
Archbishop Carroll sophomore Olivia Stout (r) in game vs. Wood. (photo/Donna Eckert for PSD)
The defense consists of juniors Julie Curran, Ella Wright and McKala Henry along with sophomore Chloe Bleckley.
Wright is a center back and a defensive leader who also is a major part of the attack.
Junior Bridget Robinson, has been solid in goal, while playing varsity for the first time.
“She is a lacrosse goalie and talented athletically and learning and getting better,” Quintois said.
In addition to the defense, the Patriots have boosted an offense that scores by committee. It has all added up to an impressive showing.
“We basically have a brand new defense and goalie and we are in a position to achieve our goals,” Quintois said.
Archbishop Ryan and Archbishop Wood are the Catholic League favorites, but teams like Carroll hope to be competitive in the postseason, while laying a strong foundation for what looks like a bright future.
Archbishop Carroll game highlights vs. Archbishop Ryan 9/27.(video/Lennie Malmgren)
Here is a look at the past week in the Catholic League
Friday Oct. 8
O'HARA 10, Bonner-Prendie 0
Greta Miller scored twice and the Lions got single goals from Lily Marquis, Lauren Moore, Kaitlin Cunningham, Ellie Miller, Ana Ciminera, Kayla McMenamin and Maddie Ellis.
O’Hara keeper Ava Hinelski wasn’t forced to make a save, while Bonner goalie Hannah Quinn made 20 saves
St Hubert vs. Conwell Egan. (photos/Mark Zimmaro for PSD)
Sunday Oct. 10
St. Hubert’s 4, Conwell Egan 1
Gianna Grassifulli, one of the most talented players in the Catholic League, had all four goals.
“Gianna has been unbelievable,” said St. Hubert’s coach Jeanette Graziosi-Hibbs.
This season she has 11 goals in PCL play and nine goals in non-league games. That is serious production.
Conwell Egan junior Sam Terry talks about her team's determination & hard-fought effort,(Video/Marc Zimmaro)
St. Hubert senior Gianna Grassifulli credits her team for her strong scoring ability. (video/Mark Zimmaro)
Monday Oct. 11
Lansdale Catholic 2, St. Hubert 1
This was a day of successful set pieces and much more for the winning Crusaders, who scored both goals that way. Delaney King scored the game’s first goal on a set piece. Then in the second half, Olivia Boccella broke a 1-1 tie on a set piece that was similar to King’s.
According to coach Bree Benedict, the Crusaders’ only senior, Lauren Edwards, was a force as a shut-down defender.
Benedict also praised the work of Boccella, who is doing a great job following in her sister Julia’s footsteps.
“I’m really happy for Liv to get the goal,” Benedict said. “Liv is a total program player, she has been since her sister Julia was here. She came in right away playing the same position as her sister who graduated in 2020 and we haven’t skipped a beat.”
Benedict adds that it has been incredible to have such a reliable center back as Boccella.
“What’’s ironic is her ability to provide service on set pieces as well as her sister, we will have had eight years of Boccella service,” Benedict said.
The Lansdale Catholic coach then spoke of some inspiring mothers of players in the program.
“To put the icing on the cake, we were celebrating the moms in our program that have fought breast cancer and her (Boccella’s) mom and Delaney’s mom being two of them,” Benedict said. “We are so blessed to have their families in our program, showing us what true fight is about alongside Mrs. Steinbach (mom to Megan Steinbach) and recent alumni mom Mrs. Roseann Delpo. We love them and play for them every day. The game is bigger than results, but we were thrilled to get those moms a win, the way we did it.”
Lansdale Catholic girls' soccer team pictured saying prayer before game vs. St. Hubert. (photo by LC Jr. Reporter Peter DelPo)
Lansdale Catholic girls' soccer team hosts game in honor of breast cancer survivors. Pictured are the team along with family members impacted by the disease. (photo/LC Jr. Reporter Peter DelPo)
Tuesday, Oct. 12
Archbishop Wood 1, Villa Joseph Marie 0
While this isn’t a Catholic League game, it was a high powered matchup between two outstanding programs. This win came a day after a convincing win for Archbishop Wood over Bonner-Prendie.
Against Villa Joseph Marie, Grace Hoeger scored the game-winner on a header. Coach Tom DeGeorge said Daryn Savage was the defensive anchor, while Emily Beck was dominant in the midfield.
“This was one of the best wins since I have been coaching at Wood,” DeGeorge said. “Against a talented and experienced team with tons of state championships.”
Thursday Oct. 14
St. Hubert 2, Archbishop Carroll 1
The explosive Gianna Grassifulli scored both goals for the winners while Ella Wright scored the goal for Carroll. This was a game where the defense really shined for St. Hubert’s.
“Our four backs have been phenomenal,” said St. Hubert’s coach Jeanette Graziosi-Hibbs.
Those four are Alex McGonigle, Kira Pizzaro, Samantha Kinniry and Lauren Quinn.
Archbishop Wood 3, Conwell-Egan 1
This was Senior Day for Archbishop Wood and all seniors got a chance to start and contribute to the Vikings victory.
Megan Hickey contributed two goals and Ava DeGeorge added one. Alyssa DeGeorge and Emily Beck contributed assists.
The Vikings completed their Catholic League record with a 7-0-1 mark.
“Now we have a 12-day break before the playoffs to rest up and get ready for the playoffs,” coach Tom DeGeorge said.
Archbishop Wood vs. Conwell-Egan. (photos by Donna Eckert for PSD)
Tag(s): Home Schools Philadelphia Catholic Soccer Girls Soccer Philadelphia Catholic League Arch. Carroll Girls Soccer Arch. Ryan Girls Soccer Arch. Wood Girls Soccer Bonner & Prendie Girls Soccer Cardinal O'Hara Girls Soccer Conwell-Egan Girls Soccer John W. Hallahan Soccer Lansdale Cath. Girls Soccer Little Flower Soccer Saint Hubert Soccer